While confident in the 22-year-old center fielder's long-term prognosis, Shildt revealed some short-term concerns; the 10-day injured list remains possible.

Merrill has not played since he exited Sunday after two strikeouts at Dodger Stadium. He rolled his ankle on Aug. 15 and played the next day but had not even progressed to baseball activity when Padres manager Mike Shildt addressed the media Saturday afternoon.

The San Diego Padres have been without Jackson Merrill thanks to a nagging lower body issue, and gave the star some time to fully recover.